Free Proof and driver Jessica Turenne scored the biggest upset of the year at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 24), closing from eighth-place in the backstretch and winning by a neck at odds of 56-1.
Competing in the second race pace, Free Proof started from post nine (second tier) for Turenne and got away in last in the nine-horse field. By the half-mile marker, Free Proof was fourth-over in eighth-place.
In the backstretch, Turenne took Free Proof three-wide and then was pushed four-wide at the three-quarters. Free Proof continued to gain on the leaders and, with a burst of speed down the stretch, he was able to collar pacesetter Spiderman Hanover (Pierre-Luc Roy) at the wire to win by a neck in 1:58.1. Favourite Shanghaigold (Steeve Genois) was third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Classic Card Shark, Free Proof is trained by Maxime Dinelle and owned by Jacques Dinelle of Pont-Rouge, Que. The win was Free Proof's third of the season from 23 starts, and the first training victory for Dinelle.
Free Proof was the first horse of the season to pay more than $100 to win. He returned $115.10 for the victory.
The longshots continued in the eighth race, $5,500 Preferred Handicap Pace for the mares as 18-1 Sieras Rose and driver Pierre-Luc Roy were able to scoot along the rail and beat pacesetter Fancy Girl (Francis Picard) by a half-length in 1:57.2. Shes Movin On (Samuel Fillion) was third.
A nine-year-old mare by No Pan Intended, Sieras Rose posted her fourth win on the year from 18 starts for trainer Johanne Dechamplain, who co-owns with Steve Perreault of Mont Joli, Que. She paid $38.60 to win.
Track Notes: Both Jocelyn Gendron and Jessica Turenne scored driving doubles Sunday. There are two race cards left for the 2021 season at H3R. Post time next Sunday is 12:10 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)